Winona Lake, Ind. --- The Bethel Pilots move on to the NCCAA National Championship Semi-final after defeating the Ecclesia College Royals 79-64 at the Manahan OCC on Wednesday night.
The pilots started the game with a 9-0 run before Ecclesia scored their first point on a free throw at 17:22 in the first half.
The Royals got within three points at 10:28, but Drew Lutz dropped a layup to begin to grow the lead. The Royals threatened to gain their first lead of the game at 3:57 after a jumper to get within two points, and Lutz again broke the Royal rhythm.
Bethel pulled away from there when Nathan Aerts drained a three at 3:10 to go up 37-30, and Trent Edwards made two free throws at the end of the quarter to secure a 46-32 advantage at half-time.
In the second half, Miki Stojanov scored six points for the Pilots, with Aerts just behind him with five of his own. Nine Pilots scored throughout the second half while maintaining a double-digit lead.
Nathan Aerts had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while
Alonas Peciulis had his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Stojanov scored a career-high of 11 points in his first appearance since Feb. 18 against Saint Francis (Ind.).
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Bethel scored 21 points off turnovers and caused eight of them.
- The Pilots outrebounded Ecclesia 50-31 and seven second-chance points.
THE NCCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTINUES
The Pilots will play in the semi-final game against the winner of the 8:45 p.m. matchup between Geneva College and Sterling College at 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 16.
For the latest information on each of Bethel University's 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, visit BUPilots.com or follow the Pilots on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @BUPilots or on YouTube at /BethelSportsNetwork.
